Cruiser bikes are perfect for motorcycle enthusiasts who want to bring out their inner artist. Few, if any, other motorcycles are as popular to modify as the humble cruiser.
There’s a mind-blowing amount of parts available, allowing owners to turn their bike into a bar-hopper, long-distance tourer, or anything in between.
Of course, not all cruiser bikes are created equal, so we’ve decided to take a closer look at some that are particularly popular or well-suited for modifications. Here are some of the best cruiser bikes to modify, but this list is by no means exhaustive, and there are plenty of other models out there that are worthy of your time and hard-earned cash.
Harley-Davidson Sportster
We’ll start with the most obvious cruiser bike. Harley-Davidson’s iconic Sportster was introduced in 1957, and since then, it’s become one of the most popular cruiser bikes to modify. Enthusiasts have modified the Sportster in every way you can imagine, turning them into off-roaders, bobbers, café racers, you name it.
Even Harley-Davidson itself modified it, offering different versions, such as the stylish Iron, the beefy Forty-Eight, and the retro-tastic Seventy-Two.
Honda Rebel
Honda offers a Rebel for every rider level. There’s the 300 for beginners, the 500 for commuters and city riders, and the 1100 that’ll do it all, including long-distance touring.
With a large selection of optional extras and a huge aftermarket, the Honda Rebel can be customized to suit the owner’s exact wants and needs, whether it’s an aggressive-looking bobber or a full-on touring bike.
Yamaha Bolt
It’s not hard to see that Yamaha was heavily inspired by the Harley-Davidson Sportster when designing the Bolt. In fact, some bike enthusiasts will tell you that the Bolt is a better Sportster than the actual Sportster.
Of course, that also means it enjoys a vast selection of aftermarket parts, and the Bolt can be turned into whatever your heart desires. Yamaha even built some café racer and scrambler versions of the Bolt, showing just how versatile this cruiser platform is.
Yamaha V-Star / Dragstar
Yamaha used to offer a whole range of bikes under the V-Star name, but these days, only the 250 remains. We’ll focus on some of the older models, such as the V-Star 650 and 1100.
The 650 is a bit anemic, and other than a filter, rejetted carbs, and an exhaust, there’s not much to do about that. The 1100, on the other hand, has a massive amount of performance parts available and can be turned into a real power cruiser. Styling-wise, the bikes are very similar, and there are plenty of parts that’ll make them look even better, including off-the-shelf bobber kits.
Harley-Davidson Dyna
Did you ever watch Sons of Anarchy? Most of the bikes used on that show were based on the Harley-Davidson Dyna, and there’s a good reason for that.
These bikes can be customized however you want. Personally, I like the mean club/West Coast style with murdered-out components, raised rear suspension, and a small front fairing, but they also look good as bobbers. If you want to modify a Harley, you really can’t go wrong with a Dyna.
Triumph Bonneville Bobber
Some claim the whole factory bobber thing is over, but if that’s the case, Triumph didn’t get the memo, as they’re still offering the excellent Bonneville Bobber.
Customizers such as Thornton Hundred have made the Bonneville Bobber their bread and butter, churning out one stunning build after another, including a supercharged version with over 200 hp and a top speed in excess of 170 mph. Those who want to build one of these awesome retro bikes themselves will be happy to know there’s plenty of aftermarket support.
BMW R18
BMW’s retro-styled cruiser, the R18, has almost unlimited potential in terms of modifications, as proven by the many winners from custom bike competitions around the world.
Not only does BMW offer a massive selection of optional extras to make buyers’ bikes stand out from the crowd, but aftermarket companies have embraced it, too. By mixing and matching parts, it’s possible to create a truly unique R18 Bimmer… provided you have deep pockets, of course.
Indian Scout
Indian has taken up the fight with America’s longest-standing motorcycle brand, Harley-Davidson, and many of their bikes are on par with, or even better than, what their Milwaukee-based competitor makes.
The Indian Scout is one such model. Whether it’s the previous or current model doesn’t really matter, as they’re both blank canvases for bikers who want to create rolling art. Indian has also built some cool Scout versions over the years, such as the minimalist Bobber and the club-style Rogue. It is certainly one of the best cruiser bikes to modify if you want a modern American model.
Harley-Davidson VRSC
It’s fair to call Harley-Davidson’s VRSC lineup divisive. Dyed-in-the-wool H-D purists never really took a shine to the V-Rod and Night Rod’s Porsche-developed, water-cooled 60-degree engine, and the bikes didn’t offer the best handling either.
That said, customizers embraced these bikes and turned them into some of the most imposing cruisers you’ll ever see, with low seats, fat rear tires, loud exhausts, turbochargers, you name it.
Honda Shadow Phantom
Heavily modified motorcycles generally aren’t known to be the most reliable, but it certainly can be if you decide to buy a Honda Shadow Phantom and modify it. It’s the bike that proves you can have your cake and eat it, too.
It’s not particularly powerful, but it’s simple, old-school, and offers near-bulletproof reliability. There’s also a decent amount of aftermarket parts available for those who want to make it a bit more special. Imagine touring the country on a reliable custom machine…
Kawasaki VN800
Kawasaki’s VN800 is an oldie, but it certainly deserves to be on this list. It offered similar power to Harley-Davidson’s Sportster, but with looks that mimicked the Softail-style rear suspension.
Hop on YouTube, and you will find Kawasaki VN800s customized to showcase pretty much any style you can think of. It may not be as popular as the Sportster, but looking at some of these creations, I’ll argue that it can be just as cool.
Royal Enfield Classic 650
Royal Enfield has seemingly been around since the dawn of time, and until recently, that was also the case with the brand’s design philosophy. However, over the last few years, this Indian company has made some substantial changes, and as a result, its popularity has skyrocketed.
The R-E Classic 650 does what it says on the tin — it’s a classically styled cruiser. Like the brand’s other models, the Classic 650 lends itself well to modifications, and there are plenty of off-the-shelf performance parts to choose from.
Royal Enfield Shotgun 650
Like I said, Royal Enfield is on a roll these days, and the Shotgun 650 is an excellent option for those who think the aforementioned Classic 650 looks a bit dull. This bike still offers retro styling, and the engine is the same, but the Shotgun has an aesthetic that’s closer to that of the old Harley Sportster.
Here, you’ll find a small front fairing, bar-end mirrors, mid-mounted footrests, no passenger seat, low suspension, and a short wheelbase. It’s pretty much good to go straight from the showroom floor and just needs some finishing touches — perhaps an exhaust and a small chin spoiler.
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